Method and apparatus for an electric meter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A metering apparatus comprising:
- a microcomputer (MCU);
a transceiver unit coupled to the MCU to transmit and receive power line communications (PLC) between the metering apparatus and a remote device;
memory coupled to the MCU to store metering data;
a communication device coupled to the MCU;
at least one analog transducer coupled to the MCU to supply real time data to the MCU;
an electronically operated relay coupled to the MCU to disconnect the metering apparatus from one or more line outputs;
a battery to provide power to the MCU such that at least of portion of the MCU'"'"'s functionality when main power is off including detecting tampering of the meter; and
a cold start interrupt in communication with the MCU to change the metering apparatus'"'"' mode operation from stop mode to normal mode, wherein the MCU is the only active component powered on and a power source for the metering apparatus is the battery and all clocks used by the MCU are turned off when the metering apparatus is in stop mode and when the metering apparatus is in normal mode the MCU and other components of the meter are fully powered and a real-time clock is generated.
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Abstract
An improved meter and its operation is described. The meter can be a part of a larger automated meter reading process that allows for remote reading of the meter though power line communication. Using a microcomputer core, the meter processes incoming analog data and can calculate several relevant data values need by utility providers. The meter can also be used to monitor and detect tampering dry connect/voltage free devices, such as gas and water meters, connected to the meter.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A metering apparatus comprising:
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a microcomputer (MCU); a transceiver unit coupled to the MCU to transmit and receive power line communications (PLC) between the metering apparatus and a remote device; memory coupled to the MCU to store metering data; a communication device coupled to the MCU; at least one analog transducer coupled to the MCU to supply real time data to the MCU; an electronically operated relay coupled to the MCU to disconnect the metering apparatus from one or more line outputs; a battery to provide power to the MCU such that at least of portion of the MCU'"'"'s functionality when main power is off including detecting tampering of the meter; and a cold start interrupt in communication with the MCU to change the metering apparatus'"'"' mode operation from stop mode to normal mode, wherein the MCU is the only active component powered on and a power source for the metering apparatus is the battery and all clocks used by the MCU are turned off when the metering apparatus is in stop mode and when the metering apparatus is in normal mode the MCU and other components of the meter are fully powered and a real-time clock is generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A meter comprising:
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a microcomputer (MCU); memory coupled to the MCU to store metering data; at least one analog transducer coupled to the MCU to supply real time data to the MCU; and a secondary power source to provide power to the MCU such that at least of portion of the MCU'"'"'s functionality when main power is off including detecting tampering of the meter, wherein the meter has at least three modes of operation comprising; a normal mode wherein when in the normal mode all components of the meter are fully powered, a real-time clock is generated, and a main power source for the meter is main power; a watch mode wherein when in the watch mode the MCU is the only active component fully powered, a real-time clock is generated, and the power source for the meter is the secondary power source; and a stop mode wherein when in the stop mode the MCU is the only active component powered, clocks used by the MCU are turned off, and the power source for the meter is the secondary power source. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A meter comprising:
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memory to store metering data; and a microcomputer (MCU) coupled to the memory, wherein the meter has at least three modes of operation comprising; a normal mode wherein when in the normal mode all components of the meter are fully powered, a real-time clock is generated, and the power source for the meter is main power; a watch mode wherein when in the watch mode the MCU is the only active component fully powered, a real-time clock is generated, and the power source for the meter is a secondary power source; and a stop mode wherein when in the stop mode the MCU is the only active component powered, clocks used by the MCU are turned off, and the power source for the meter is a secondary power source. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A metering apparatus comprising:
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a microcomputer (MCU); a transceiver unit coupled to the MCU to transmit and receive power line communications (PLC) between the metering apparatus and a remote device; memory coupled to the MCU to store metering data; a communication device coupled to the MCU; at least one analog transducer coupled to the MCU to supply real time data to the MCU; an electronically operated relay coupled to the MCU to disconnect the metering apparatus from one or more line outputs; and a battery to provide power to the MCU such that at least of portion of the MCU'"'"'s functionality when main power is off including detecting tampering of the meter, wherein the meter has at least three modes of operation including, a normal mode wherein when in the normal mode all components of the meter are fully powered, a real-time clock is generated, and the power source for the meter is main power; a watch mode wherein when in the watch mode the MCU is the only active component fully powered, a real-time clock is generated, and the power source for the meter is a secondary power source; and a stop mode wherein when in the stop mode the MCU is the only active component powered, clocks used by the MCU are turned off, and the power source for the meter is a secondary power source. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification